We're at Championships!

We left Ranger yesterday around 10:15 and arrived at Great Southwest Equestrian Center around 4pm. It was a long haul but the trailer pulled beautifully even loaded down as it was. We set up our tack room and put up our curtains and we are pleased with our presentation. What do you think?

We had a nice meal last night and started the day at a reasonable hour. Patrick started schooling La Coruna and she was really nervous and worried- especially at first. She was the only horse around and the vendors were setting up and all the other things that go into preparing the show grounds. After doing a couple of caprioles, she finally settled down and worked pretty good. Next was Dream Girl, who decided she didn't want to get near the schooling arena, it took Patrick a full 5 mins to persuade her that she will survive if she crossed the imaginary threshold leading into the arena. With frazzled nerves Patrick boarded Glenda and as expected, she felt like a freight train out of control when she is excited. And excited she was. When he asked for flying changes he got REAL flying changes. The good news is, he stayed on! We decided it was time for a break and we went to lunch.

After lunch we found out that there is a brand new covered arena at the show which Patrick had not schooled in. He was very upset to learn that his Championship rides would be held in that new and very scary arena in which he had not schooled the three lovely ladies. He calmed down and boarded Grapette, the most reliable of the group. Without going into tedious details, she hated the new Championship arena. She could see the children at the school playing football in their bright yellow uniforms and was none too happy about that game- among other things. She was fine in the other arenas but only time will tell what happens tomorrow. Finally, he schooled La Vienna and she, too, hated the scary new arena with all kinds of horrible kids and games going on right outside.

The next bad news was Patrick realized he had to get on La Coruna and go on a re-ride to the new, scary Championship arena. Surprisingly she was great. She just had to get her excitement and jubilation out of her system this morning.

Alyssa schooled Mamie today and she was a star! She had just enough excitement to make her more sensitive, uphill, and forward. Alyssa doesn't ride her until Friday so this was just a light school but we were all very happy with her.

Patrick starts his rides tomorrow at 8:00 am on Grapette. Wish us luck!!

Sharon was so excited to see Bonnie Canter (a dear friend she has known for a long time) and her wonderful horse Fancy This GCF. Sharon bred Fancy and Bonnie was lucky enough to ride and train the dam, South Ridge Bliss, and Bonnie knew the sire, Fred Astair well. We want you to see this picture of this lovely pair and we think great things will happen this weekend with these two!

We are going to have a nice dinner and a good nights sleep tonight in preparation for the big day tomorrow.

For those of you who have told us you read our blog religiously- this blog is for you!! We really appreciate it and just wanted to keep you posted for your loyalty. We promise to try to blog tomorrow and tell you how Patrick does. Alyssa and Sharon think he is a star just for getting through today!